Course Details

1. Recall and distinguish notions related to the art of theatre and the art of puppet theatre and describe the basic aspects of the latter.
2. Recall the landmarks of the history of world puppet theatre.
3. Distinguish the basic types of puppets and puppet theatre techniques.
4. Discuss the contribution of puppet theatre in the development of creativity, imagination, communication and intellectual development of the infant.
5. Experience the puppet theatre as a creative activity.
6. Apply puppet theatre on Pre-Primary School curriculum examples and use it as a teaching tool.
7. Recognize and analyze the components of a puppet theatre script and apply the model on the creation of their own original scripts.
8. Develop construction skills on puppet and scenery making and create original puppets with variable materials.
9. Create the character of the puppet and improvise in role playing.
10. Combine voice and movement techniques in order to animate the puppets.
11. Compose all above in order to organize and present a puppet theatre show for children in groups.
12. Relate the puppet performance with drama activities in classroom.

1.     Introduction to the puppet theatre, the basic elements, comparison to conventional theatre.

2.     Types of puppets and different performance techniques.

3.     Brief history of world puppet theatre.

4.     The pedagogic value of puppet theatre and the its applications in the Pre-Primary daily routine.

5.     Creation of simple puppets out different materials (paper, recyclable objects etc) and practice on animation techniques.

6.     Creation of the character of the puppet.

7.     Reading and performing of puppet theatre scripts; exercises with voice and acting.

8.     Construction, in three steps, of marotte puppets.

9.     Inventing of stories and creative writing of puppet theatre scripts.

10.  Scheduling Drama activities related to the puppets and the performance.

11.  Practice on animation techniques, voice and movement of puppet.

12.  Guidelines on the preparation of the various aspects of the puppet show: stage direction, scenery, props, sound and music.

13.  Performing of their own puppets on their own scripts in groups.

14.  Evaluation of the whole experience.

• Parousi, A. (2012). Puppet theatre in Education. Education in Puppet Theatre. Athens: Plethron. [Παρούση, Α. (2012). Κουκλοθέατρο στην Εκπαίδευση. Εκπαίδευση στο Κουκλοθέατρο. Πλέθρον, Αθήνα].
• Lesson notes given by the instructor.

• Kontogianni, A. (1997). Puppet Theatre. A Monograph of Alcestis and 58 Scripts by Students of the Pre-Primary Department of Athens University. Athens: Ellinika Grammata. [Κοντογιάννη, Ά. (1997). Κουκλοθέατρο. Μια μονογραφία της «Άλκηστις» και 58 σενάρια των φοιτητών του Παιδαγωγικού Τμήματος Νηπιαγωγών του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Ελληνικά Γράμματα, Αθήνα].
• Magouliotis, A. N. (1994). PuppetTheatre I. How a Performance is Prepared. Athens: Kastaniotis [Μαγουλιώτης, Α. Ν. (1994). Κουκλοθέατρο Ι. Πώς στήνεται ένα έργο. Καστανιώτης, Αθήνα].
• Demetratou, V. (2005). The Magic World of Puppet Theatre. Puppets and Scripts. Athens: Patakis [Δημητράτου, Β. (2005). Ο μαγικός κόσμος του κουκλοθεάτρου: Κούκλες και έργα. Πατάκης, Αθήνα].
• Delpeux, H. (1987). Puppets and Marionettes. Athens: Gutenberg [Κούκλες και μαριονέτες, μτφ. Α. Στρουμπούλη, Gutenberg, Αθήνα].
• Gialouraki, S. (2000). Let’s Play Puppet Theatre. We play and Learn. Athens: Doudoumi [Γιαλουράκη, Σ. (2000). Παίζουμε κουκλοθέατρο; Μαθαίνουμε και παίζουμε. Ντουντούμη, Αθήνα].
• Daraki, P. (1989). Puppet Theatre. Athens: Gutenberg [Δαράκη, Π (1989). Κουκλοθέατρο, Gutenberg, Αθήνα].
• Tsilimeni, T. L. (1994). Puppet Theatre II. 62 New Plays. Athens: Kastaniotis. [Τσιλιμένη, Τ. Λ. (1994). Κουκλοθέατρο ΙΙ. 62 Νέα έργα. Καστανιώτης, Αθήνα].
• Fakinou, E. (2006). Ntenekedoupoli. Five Plays for Puppet Theatre. Athens: Kastaniotis [Φακίνου, Ε. (2006). Ντενεκεδούπουλη, Πέντε έργα για κουκλοθέατρο. Καστανιώτης, Αθήνα].

The module will provide the theoretical background but will emphasize on practice.